Most city data (statistics) has to come from offical government websites of the city or country or from statistical abstracts and handbooks of the individual country. Most international organizations and databases generally provide only country level data. Encyclopedias like the Encyclopedia Britannica Online are useful for descriptions of cities and their statistics.
*Effective 12/31/25, this resource will no longer be accessible. Please contact Ask Us or your subject specialist for assistance on finding replacement resources to search.
Europa World is the online version of the Europa World Year Book, the indispensable source of information on world-wide affairs. The database includes detailed surveys of over 250 countries and territories, a comprehensive listing of over 1,650 international organizations, access to the very latest statistics, directory information and current analysis.
OECD iLibrary is the online library of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) featuring its books, papers and statistics. The OECD consists of 30 member countries sharing a commitment to democratic government and the market economy. With active relationships with some 70 other countries, NGOs and civil society, it has a global reach. Best known for its publications and its statistics, its work covers economic and social issues.
These are selected sources for international data.
These are selected resources for national data.
Best US sources to start with:
Additional US sources:
When researching international statistics it is helpful to know what kind of statistics you need and what organizations collect that data.
For a single country (or city data) check the country's statistical abstract. When comparing multiple countries, it is best to get all similar data from the same source. Use the PDF's table to determine who collects the type of data you need.
Google Scholar is often helpful for finding articles on your city. Some articles will contain statistical content.
